Discover Lincoln's connections to Kansas history.

If I went West, I think I would go to Kansas.
--Abraham Lincoln

In December 1859 Abraham Lincoln came to Kansas campaigning for the presidency. He visited several towns in northeast, including Leavenworth and Atchison during a week-long sojourn.

Lincoln would continue to share an interest in the new state, later commenting that he might like to "go to Kansas."

Discover the connections between Lincoln and Kansas as the nation prepares to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth.

Please let us know your Lincoln connection! What schools, streets, buildings, parks, and other sites in your community are named for Abraham Lincoln? Please complete this response form so we can list your connections here.

Articles

  • "Boston Corbett, avenger of Lincoln"
  • "The Honorable Abe Lincoln on Kansas Soil"
  • "Kansas Troubles, This Week in Territorial History"
  • "Lane & Lincoln: A Mysterious Connection"
  • "S. C. Pomeroy and the New England Emigrant Aid Company, 1854-1858 [Part One]"
  • "Stephen A. Douglas"
  • Documents

    Visit Kansas Memory for documents and images related to Lincoln in Kansas, or browse these links.

  • Abraham Lincoln to Mark W. Delahay
  • Civil War Pamphlets - Lincoln and the Presidency
  • John McArthur to Abraham Lincoln
  • Letter from M.W. Delahay
  • Letter from Marcus Parrott
  • Robert Crozier to Abraham Lincoln
  • Thomas Ewing, Jr. to Abraham Lincoln
  • Exhibits

  • Lincoln in Kansas, January 29, 2009 - August 2, 2009
  • Lincoln in Kansas, Kansas Interpretive Traveling Exhibits Service (KITES), completed by February 2009 and available for travel within Kansas. For information, contact 785-272-8681, ext. 414. Cosponsored by the Kansas Historical Society and the Kansas Humanities Council.
  • Events

  • Kansas Day at the Museum and Kansas Day at the Capitol
    January 29, 2009
    Featuring a Lincoln theme
  • Aaron Copland's A Lincoln Portrait
    Performance by Topeka Symphony Orchestra
    In cooperation with Lincoln Club of Topeka
    White Concert Hall, Washburn University, Topeka
    January 15 & 17, 2009
    785-232-2032 www.topekasymphony.org
  • Lincoln Day Reenactment
    Lincoln look-a-like contest, march, ball
    Reenactment Committee, Lincoln
    February 13-14, 2009
    Lincoln County Courthouse, Lincoln
    785-524-5133, www.villagelines.com
  • Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Symposium
    Nationally-known scholars
    Emporia State University
    February 4, 11, 18, 25, 2009
    Granada Theater, Emporia
    620-341-5573, www.emporia.edu/lincoln
  • "Bleeding Kansas '09", Constitution Hall State Historic Site, community of Lecompton
    February 8--"Great Emancipator or Great Racist?"
    February 15--"Abraham Lincoln Remembered"
    785-887-6520, kshs.org/places/constitution
  • Historical Markers

  • Lincoln in Elwood Kansas
  • For Kids

  • Lincoln's Hat (PDF)
  • Kansas Kaleidoscope, December 2008/January 2009, will feature Abraham Lincoln
  • Images

    Visit Kansas Memory for documents and images related to Lincoln in Kansas, or browse these links.

  • Illustration of Abraham Lincoln
  • Illustration of Abraham Lincoln
  • Illustration of Abraham Lincoln
  • Photograph of Abraham Lincoln
  • Photograph of Abraham Lincoln
  • Photograph of Abraham Lincoln
  • Objects

  • Ball Gown worn to Lincoln Inaugural
  • Delahay portraits
  • Lombard Banner presented to Lincoln
  • Memento of Lincoln's Assassination
  • Sites

  • See a list of sites in Kansas that are planning special activities, tours, and exhibits in honor of the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth.
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    Related Links
    Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial

    Idaho Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial

    Illinois Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial

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    Iowa Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial

    Kentucky Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial

    Michigan Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial
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    North Dakota Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial

    Ohio Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial

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    Rhode Island Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial


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